Time to sign Dozier

[curt1965]

122 games

69 runs

122 hits

22 doubles

25 homeruns

68 RBI

.260 average

4 errors on D

30 years old

(Stats before today's doubleheader)

 

After hearing his name mentioned forever in trade rumors, I think it's time to admit that Brian Dozier deserves a new contract with the Twins, and he's earned it. Ok- I admit it. I've done a complete 360 on Dozier. But seriously, how hard would it be to replace these stats? It's looking more likely that last year was not an aberration. He's a team leader in a team devoid of leaders. He's a great p.r. guy for the organization.

Put Brian in the picture long-term and the offense looks set for years, with the exception of DH and catcher, and Castro and Garver can platoon for a couple of years. The FO should be able to find a right handed DH to balance the lineup.

Then we can spend all the available money on pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

Does anyone agree with me?

[TNTwinsFan]

I might sign him for a 2 year extension. But that would be it. 3 more years of him hitting 25-35 HR is about all he might have left at that level. Then, I think the Twins have enough talent in the pipeline to overshadow his contributions. Guys like Gordon, Lewis, Javier are all going to be banging on the door in about 3 years (Gordon sooner). So next year, plus about a 2 year extension maybe like a 1 year extention then a mutual 1 year option or something like that.

[alarp33]

Pass.  The team needs pitching. I'll roll the dice with a Polanco / Gordon middle infield for 2019 + beyond

[Jham]

He's a poor leader in my opinion. He's the reason why the team lacks leadership. I think his personality may suppress other better leaders as well. He's a nice player, but to me he's part of the problem, part of the old selfish losing culture.

[kab21]

I would like to extend him for another year or two but would be leery (very leery) of extending him at his market value. It will likely take at least a 3 year extension and possibly 4. That takes him out to age 34 or 35 and doesn't seem like it would end well.

One key for this season and next season is to see what kind of progress Polanco can make (hot right now) and how quickly Gordon takes a starting spot and runs with it. Still a few question marks regarding both of those.

[stringer bell]

Dozier is my favorite active player. He has transformed himself into a slugger and while he won't hit 40 homers this year, his numbers are really good. He is using all of the field more and currently has a higher OBP than he has had in any season to date.

 

I don't know how long he can sustain his productivity, but every year he seems to improve some part of his game. Extension? Maybe, but not too many years.

[SwainZag]

 

He's a poor leader in my opinion. He's the reason why the team lacks leadership. I think his personality may suppress other better leaders as well. He's a nice player, but to me he's part of the problem, part of the old selfish losing culture.

 

Can I just ask why?  Can you point to anything where Dozier has been a toxic clubhouse guy? 

[Rosterman]

Like when the Twins let Koskie get away...Dozier doesn't have to play second base. Right now, depending on Sano - and also Mauer) the Twins don't have a DH. Dozier could work well into that role in a season or two, plus still be able to play the field. Again, the elephant that is stifling the Twins is what to do with Mauer.

 

Of course, salary is the biggie. Dozier won't command less than the $8 mill he is making. But I'm sure he has heard via the grapevine that he isn't all in demand (or playing a position that is set pretty much everywhere else). Of course, if the Twins can get a salary friendly contract for a 2 year extension (with an option for a third) I would say go for it. Veteran presence. Still would be trade bait. If nothing else, again contract allowing, he could be a ncie waiver claim for some team.

[curt1965]

I had never been much of a fan for Dozier- one way or the other. But it's hard to deny the stats he has put up for a middle infielder. I do not see Polanco or Gordon putting up those types of production, and I like them BOTH! I like what Rosterman suggested. Once Mauer and his contract are gone next year, I could see Brian

contributing at 2nd, 1b, and DH. I just don't see Planco or Gordon being Power guys hitting in the middle of the order because of their power, homerun and RBI potential. He has also shown an ability to draw walks and steal a few bases too, which could mean he would also be a fine fit at the top of the order to help increase his run projection.

He does go through when he strikes out too often, but so do Buxton, Sano, Kepler, and Rosario.

The loss of Dozier for an extended time would hurt more than losing Sano for the same amount of time, since I feel Doz can hurt teams in more ways that Sano does. It's an interesting discussion.

[Thegrin]

Trade Dozier ?  What would we get for him.  Trading an established ML hitter for a pitcher is almost always a loosing proposition.  (See Span & Revere trades.)

 

Extend Dozier ? to a team friendly contract ?  Definitely.  

 

Let him play out his current contract and take our chances ?  By then Gordon will be pushing him and Polanco and he might be willing to sign a team friendly contract, if he can't get a good offer from another team.

 

And we need to consider that Sano/Buxton/Rosario/Kepler will be demanding new contracts.

 

Be glad you don't have to make these choices.   

[Platoon]

He is starting to at least attempt to protect the outside of the plate more. A plus, but also is an extremely streaky hitter. Remember when considering extending him this fact. If he isn't tradeable for any kind of a pitcher of value, then he must be more easily replaced than we imagine. Plus he isn't a "pure" power hitter. I imagine when that number crashes it will be sudden. And that leaves Polanco at SS. . I would really hate to see one of the younger middle guys traded, without any better return than Dozier, to keep someone who will be 33-34 at the end of an extension! Ugh

[LFRGary]

I'd rather trade some high-level prospects (not named Lewis) to Tampa for Chris Archer. Having a true stud at the top of the rotation sounds like a great idea. We can't afford both. Archer & Dozier.

[ThejacKmp]

Dozier isn't going to sign some small extension. He's never hit free agency and he will want to at 31, especially since his value is not tied to being a 2B (thought that obviously helps). He'll be looking for one of those 4 year deals with a ton of money (and more power to him, he deserves it).

 

I'm down to sign a 1-2 year extension with him but naive enough to think that he'd be interested in that. Not a big fan of a longer deal. He's a very nice 2B but a fairly average DH. And between Gordon, Lewis, Palacios, Polanco and Vielma, there's a ton of middle infield depth coming up. And I'd like to start extending Buxton, Sano, Berrios etc. (we may regret not extending Buxton last offseason, he's getting more expensive by the day). 

 

Tough to see Dozier with the Twins past next year. Not sure I'd trade him this offseason - sometimes you just let a contract play out and hope for that career contract year. Dozier makes the Twins better in 2018 and then the young ones can take over.

[bighat]

 

He's a poor leader in my opinion. He's the reason why the team lacks leadership. I think his personality may suppress other better leaders as well. He's a nice player, but to me he's part of the problem, part of the old selfish losing culture.

 

Do you see anyone else on the Twins stepping up? Aside from Torii Hunter's 1-year return in 2015, absolutely nobody on this team wants to be the leader. Dozier's been kind of forced into the role and I think he's done a good job. His teammates and opponents respect him, he puts up good numbers and wants to win. 

 

I will add that I agree that when Plouffe was here, their frat-boy buddy antics got a little old. But since Plouffe has left I think Dozier's the best guy for that role and he's doing a very good job IMO.

[drjim]

I think a *reasonable* extension is more possible than people might think. For the same reason he had minimal trade value this offseason he won't be able to command a massive contract. Teams are also aware that once he hits 30 he could be set for a decline.

 

The 2019 infield can (should) be Dozier, Polanco, Gordon and Sano - in some arrangement.

[Jham]

 

Can I just ask why?  Can you point to anything where Dozier has been a toxic clubhouse guy? 

 

Do you see anyone else on the Twins stepping up? Aside from Torii Hunter's 1-year return in 2015, absolutely nobody on this team wants to be the leader. Dozier's been kind of forced into the role and I think he's done a good job. His teammates and opponents respect him, he puts up good numbers and wants to win. 

 

I will add that I agree that when Plouffe was here, their frat-boy buddy antics got a little old. But since Plouffe has left I think Dozier's the best guy for that role and he's doing a very good job IMO.

 

 

That's one way to look at it: he's the only leader to step up.  But that doesn't make him a good leader.  Potentially a better leader would have stepped up and provided a better direction.  

I heard Hunter pumping up his team mates a couple seasons ago, praising them in the media.  Ditto Giminez this year.  Santana has been praised for his work with Berrios and younger pitchers. Dozier has been most outspoken in criticizing the FO for selling his teammates this season.

It's fairly well known that Dozier writes himself into the lead-off spot because he likes to take advantage of pitchers willingness to pump fastballs early.  He tends to start extraordinarily slow which makes me question his off-season regimen (I know he builds homes for charity in central america, but that doesn't appear to get him ready).  He claims he changed his approach when his power arrived, finding a strategy that worked with his guess hitting approach at the plate.  He hasn't apparently shared his knowledge with any younger players.  

He's a nice player.  He just comes up little when we need him most.  Maybe he's the only leader on the team.  Maybe he's just declared himself leader and others are being surpressed.

 

[Vanimal46]

I could be talked into a *reasonable* extension for Dozier, but he's far down on the priority list of extension candidates. Ideally I'd like to see these people get taken care of first:

- Sano

- Buxton

- Kepler

- Berrios

 

I would certainly like Falvey to channel what he learned in Cleveland gambling on extensions with young players (Kluber, Jose Ramirez, Salazar, etc.)

[Tomj14]

I think if everybody is serious about going all in 2018, Dozier has to be on the team. It would be a little different if Buxton could guarantee what he is doing now he will continue into next season.

I would offer him something like 3/42 maybe with a team option for the 4th year.

I wouldn't think of trading him or Polanco until Gordon has pushed Polanco and Dozier to the point of having to make a move and that hasn't happened yet.

The nice thing is in the next few years fingers crossed we have multiple middle infielders pushing for playing time and that is when I would look into doing something or possibly sending one of them (plus others) for pitching.

[FunnyPenguin]

Yep I'm all for keeping Dozier long term as long as it isn't a crippling contract.  He puts up very good numbers, and this year has been starting to go the opposite way a bit more with hits, if he could master that it could take him to another level.

[gunnarthor]

 

I could be talked into a *reasonable* extension for Dozier, but he's far down on the priority list of extension candidates. Ideally I'd like to see these people get taken care of first:

- Sano

- Buxton

- Kepler

- Berrios

 

I would certainly like Falvey to channel what he learned in Cleveland gambling on extensions with young players (Kluber, Jose Ramirez, Salazar, etc.)

Agree with this. Buxton is really turning into a player. Somehow, despite his early struggles, he might put up a 5 WAR season for us. I know WAR has a lot of flaws - esp when measuring defense and baserunning - but, dang, that's amazing from where he was in April.

[alarp33]

 

I think if everybody is serious about going all in 2018, Dozier has to be on the team. It would be a little different if Buxton could guarantee what he is doing now he will continue into next season.

I would offer him something like 3/42 maybe with a team option for the 4th year.

I wouldn't think of trading him or Polanco until Gordon has pushed Polanco and Dozier to the point of having to make a move and that hasn't happened yet.

The nice thing is in the next few years fingers crossed we have multiple middle infielders pushing for playing time and that is when I would look into doing something or possibly sending one of them (plus others) for pitching.

 

He's under contract for 2018 already.  You can bring him back, trade him at the deadline if the team tanks, sign him to an extension mid season, or give him a qualifying offer after the season.  

[wsnydes]

I'm in no rush to extend him.  I'd still prefer to go with youth when his contract expires - assuming he's not dealt.  I'm not convinced that he'd be very good defensively at a corner infield spot, though I don't think he'd be brutal.  That being said, if they end up dealing Gordon for pitching, this team could probably do worse than extending Dozier a year or two.  Beyond that, I'm not interested at all.

[wsnydes]

 

I could be talked into a *reasonable* extension for Dozier, but he's far down on the priority list of extension candidates. Ideally I'd like to see these people get taken care of first:

- Sano

- Buxton

- Kepler

- Berrios

 

I would certainly like Falvey to channel what he learned in Cleveland gambling on extensions with young players (Kluber, Jose Ramirez, Salazar, etc.)

I agree completely.  I'm more concerned with the corner not occupied by Sano than I am Dozier.  I think Dozier is more expendable than at least three of the players you mentioned.  The FO should focus on keeping the young core together more than extending a 30 year old 2B, IMHO.  The core is what is going to keep this team competitive longer, not Dozier.

[laloesch]

I don't agree if the contract extension is long term (2+ years).  No reason to extend him with Gordon on the way.

[clone52]

 

I think a *reasonable* extension is more possible than people might think. For the same reason he had minimal trade value this offseason he won't be able to command a massive contract. Teams are also aware that once he hits 30 he could be set for a decline.

 

The 2019 infield can (should) be Dozier, Polanco, Gordon and Sano - in some arrangement.

 

The reason teams didn't trade for him is because of the prospects they'd have to give up.  If teams want to sign him, they don't have to give prospects.

 

Just imagine last winter, if the Twins offered Dozier and a 4 year $60 million extension to the dodgers for nothing.  Would the Dodgers have made that trade?  Abso-freaking-lutely.

[Brock Beauchamp]

From a fan perspective, "leadership" is a pretty classic example of result dictating process.

 

The Twins are bad, Dozier is a terrible leader (as is everyone else)!

 

The Twins are good, Dozier is a great leader (as is everyone else)!

 

Naturally, you can customize this to your liking. If you don't like Dozier, the Twins are winning despite his leadership. If you like Dozier, the Twins are losing despite his leadership.

 

So maybe it's possible Dozier is just another player who contributes to the clubhouse in his own way but has almost no control over the emotional and mental state of the rest of the team.

[Brock Beauchamp]

As for Dozier the player, sometimes it's okay to get on-field value from a player and let him walk. Given how the rest of MLB seems pretty set at second base, this is likely the best route for the Twins. You float that guy in trade to see if there are any takers but if he's worth more to you than to anyone else, you let him play out his contract and try to accumulate wins before he leaves.

[kab21]

I think it will take at least 3/50 (extension past 2018) to even interest Dozier. My guess is 4/72 or higher. Most likely more than that. Remember that Torii got paid 5/90 a decade ago as a 32 yr old. Dozier is every bit as valuable and teams aren't spending less or acting any less recklessly.

We also have to put the whole 'we can't afford this and that' mindset. The Twins have a loaded roster of pre-arb players that are years away from getting paid fairly (and Mauer/Santana) coming off the books in a year (or two - Santana's option). In addition to that the median payroll was around 150M last year and the Twins most definitely don't have to be a small market team. I don't have any problem with a losing team being conservative with FA's but once you start winning you can't let 'payroll' (22nd in the majors now) restrict you.

The Twins can afford to spend A LOT more now that they are winning.

I think Dozier is a little iffy to extend but if they thought he could stay productive AND at 2B then he is a good option for an extension.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

That's one way to look at it: he's the only leader to step up.  But that doesn't make him a good leader.  Potentially a better leader would have stepped up and provided a better direction.  

I heard Hunter pumping up his team mates a couple seasons ago, praising them in the media.  Ditto Giminez this year.  Santana has been praised for his work with Berrios and younger pitchers. Dozier has been most outspoken in criticizing the FO for selling his teammates this season.

It's fairly well known that Dozier writes himself into the lead-off spot because he likes to take advantage of pitchers willingness to pump fastballs early.  He tends to start extraordinarily slow which makes me question his off-season regimen (I know he builds homes for charity in central america, but that doesn't appear to get him ready).  He claims he changed his approach when his power arrived, finding a strategy that worked with his guess hitting approach at the plate.  He hasn't apparently shared his knowledge with any younger players.  

He's a nice player.  He just comes up little when we need him most.  Maybe he's the only leader on the team.  Maybe he's just declared himself leader and others are being surpressed.

 

 

Do you have some behind the scenes knowledge of how Dozier acts in the clubhouse that nobody else knows about?  If he feels comfortable hitting leadoff why would it be bad for him to want to hit there - clearly he's had success?  Some players aren't meant to hit in the middle of the order and some thrive there.  Accusing him of not preparing enough in the offseason - again do you have any proof that he is out of shape coming into the season?  Do you have any proof that he doesn't work with the younger players?  I haven't seen one negative article about Dozier since he's been a Twins player.  Lastly, I highly doubt he was the only player in the clubhouse that was upset the FO traded away a couple of players who were having good seasons.  I mean who wouldn't be upset about that since they're in the middle of pushing for the playoffs.

 

I just feel like if you're going to make these claims you should back them up with some actual proof other than a hunch. 

[drjim]

 

The reason teams didn't trade for him is because of the prospects they'd have to give up.  If teams want to sign him, they don't have to give prospects.

 

Just imagine last winter, if the Twins offered Dozier and a 4 year $60 million extension to the dodgers for nothing.  Would the Dodgers have made that trade?  Abso-freaking-lutely.

 

That, and the fact that pretty much only the Dodgers had an obvious hole among contenders. I'm not sure that contract attached would have made him significantly (if at all) more valuable in a trade last offseason.